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Family to Receive Compensation for Clinical Misdiagnosis of Meningitis

Posted: April 21, 2012

The family of a six-year-old girl, who were told their daughter was well enough to return home when suffering from pneumococcal meningitis, are to receive an anticipated seven figure payout in compensation for clinical misdiagnosis of meningitis.

Kate Pierce from Wrexham, North Wales, was just nine months old when she developed the infection and was brought to Wrexham´s Maelor Hospital. A junior doctor diagnosed Kate with viral tonsillitis and told her parents it was permissible to take her home. When asked if they could have a second opinion, Kate´s parents were told that the advice of a senior doctor had been sought when it had not been.

Kate´s parents took Kate but, when her condition deteriorated further, returned to the hospital the following day. Upon their return Kate was correctly diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and transferred to Liverpool´s Alder Hey Children´s Hospital. However, Kate had already sustained serious brain damage and now suffers from chronic lung disease, severe epilepsy and is registered both blind and deaf.

The family sought legal advice about claiming compensation for misdiagnosis of meningitis and sued the Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board for medical negligence – claiming that the severity of Kate´s condition could have been avoided if she had been diagnosed correctly. After an examination of the allegations, Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board admitted 75 per cent liability for Kate´s injuries and, at Mold County Court, a judge heard that a compromise situation had been reached.

How much compensation for medical negligence Kate´s family will receive will be decided at a hearing later this year.